Download Earth Study Guide– SOL 5

Earth Study Guide– SOL 5.7
Topics include: layers of the Earth, plate tectonics, the rock cycle, fossils, weathering, erosion,
deposition and human impact

The Earth is approximately 4.6 billion years old.
Scientific evidence indicates the Earth is
composed of four layers. Pressure and
temperature increase the deeper you go into the
Earth.




Crust – thin layer of solid rock 5-70 M thick
Mantle – melted rock 2900 M thick
Outer Core – liquid iron and nickel 2,250 M thick
Inner Core – solid iron and nickel 1,280 M thick
Plate Tectonics
Layers of the Earth

Earth’s thermal (heat) energy causes
movement of material within Earth. Large
continent sized blocks move slowing about
Earth’s surface. These are called plates.

Divergent boundaries – plates move apart
(mid-ocean ridges)
Convergent boundaries – plates moving
towards each other. (trenches)
Transform boundaries – plates slide past eac
other horizontally (earthquakes)








Rocks have properties that can be observed,
tested, and described.
By observing the color, texture, grain size, and
presence of fossils, scientists use a classification
key to help determine the type of rock.
Rocks move and change over time due to:
o heat and pressure within Earth
o weathering & erosion
o human impact
Rocks are classified as Sedimentary, Igneous,
and Metamorphic
The Rock Cycle
Weathering & Erosion
Rocks are constantly being broken down chemically (acid rain) and physically (water, wind, ice).
Smaller sediments can be moved (eroded) by wind and water and deposited in new locations as
sediments. (deposition)
Vocabulary
Continental drift – the slow movement of the Earth’s landmasses
Convergent boundary – where plates are pushed together creating mountains & volcanoes
Crust – the outer layer of the Earth made of solid rock
Delta – a fan shaped sediment deposit formed at the mouth of a river
Deposition – a process in which wind, water, and gravity leave eroded sediments in new locations
Divergent boundary – where plates are moving apart (creates mid-ocean ridges)
Earthquake – a shaking movement of the ground caused by a sudden shift of the Earth’s crust
Fault – a location where one of the Earth’s plates meets another
Fossil – the remains of an organism that lived in the past (cast, mold, and imprint fossils)
Erosion – the moving away of sediments caused by wind, ice, and WATER
Igneous rock – formed when magma cools and hardens
Inner core – the center region of the Earth made of solid iron and nickel
Lava – molten rock (magma) that has reached the Earth’s surface
Magma – hot, melted rock that makes up the Earth’s mantle
Mantle – the middle layer of the Earth made of melted rock
Metamorphic rock – hard matter formed by extreme heat and pressure deep within the Earth
Outer core – the layer of the Earth made of liquid iron and nickel just below the mantle
Pangaea – an ancient landmass believed to have broken up into today’s continents
Plate tectonics- a theory that the Earth’s crust is broken into distinct pieces
Sedimentary rock – formed when layers of sediment are pressed together
Sliding (transform) boundary – where plates are sliding past each other
Volcano – a mountain with vents where lava, gases, and ash erupt
Weathering – the breaking down of minerals and rocks into small sediments (wind, water, ice, and
chemical reactions cause weathering)
Fossils teach us about the
past! They are mostly found
in Sedimentary rock.
Below you will find some great discussion questions to ensure
your child understands the concepts in this unit. 
SOL 5.7 – Geology
Why is Earth’s surface constantly changing? Describe some
processes that contribute to these changes.
What are some properties of rocks you can use to help you identify
them?
What are the three major parts of the rock cycle? Discuss how rocks
are changed within the rock cycle. What causes these changes?
How are igneous rocks formed? sedimentary rocks? metamorphic
rocks?
How do we know Earth is about 4.6 billion years old?
How do fossils form in sedimentary rocks?
What kind of information can scientists learn from fossils?
Why do you think there have been fewer plant fossils found than
animal fossils?
Describe the structure of Earth’s layers. Is it possible for the Earth’s
interior to change Earth’s exterior? Explain your answer.
What could cause an earthquake? What could cause a volcano?
How are earthquakes and volcanoes alike? How are they different?
What is the difference between divergent, convergent, and sliding
plate tectonic boundaries? How are these boundaries related to
changes in Earth’s surface and the ocean floor?
How can wind and water affect a rock?
How could you argue against this statement: “Rocks are too hard for
water to be able to change them.”?
Think about: weathering, erosion, deposition, heat and pressure. How
are these words related to rocks?
How do freezing and thawing weather a rock?
Name some ways humans are affecting Earth’s surface. How can we
help control the harmful things humans are doing to the surface of
Earth?